My Brother's Best Friend • Prucan

Mario Kart

As soon as Arthur texted "here", Matthew made sure to shoot Gilbert a look through the window to let him know that the plan was in action. Gilbert winked back at him and Matthew quickly ducked out of his view, hoping that Gilbert couldn't see the blush on his face. The Canadian often grew annoyed at his own biology, frustrated that his face automatically turned red at any cute boy he saw. 

Once he heard Arthur knock on his door he sprinted over to it and opened it with a huge smile on his face. "What's up Arthur?" Matthew asked, looking down at his scowling best friend from the doorway. 

"I hate you." Arthur grumbled as he stepped inside.

"What?! Why?!" Matthew asked dramatically, knowing exactly why Arthur was so mad at him. Arthur was just mad because he was embarrassed about coming over because of Alfred. No matter how much Arthur denied it, he could never resist coming over when Alfred was roaming the house. 

"Humiliating feelings aside, what do you want to do?" Arthur asked, slipping his shoes off and neatly placing them in the corner of the mudroom. 

"Want to play some Mario Kart?" Matthew asked, a huge grin on his face as he tried not to laugh out loud. He was really bad at not laughing when he was trying to trick someone. 

"Sure, as long as you wipe that dopey grin off your face." Arthur joked, following Matthew into the living room, where the two seniors playing basketball outside were clearly visible. Matthew looked back at Arthur and laughed as he noticed the grumpy blond glaring at Alfred through the window. 

"See something you like?" Matthew teased, winking at the Englishman. Matthew laughed even harder as Arthur's eyes darted away from the shirtless Alfred, his cheeks turning a deep scarlet. Sitting down on the couch, Matthew turned on the console and handed Arthur a remote. 

"I call being Toad!" Arthur called out, choosing the little mushroom on the top left of the screen. 

"You are literally the only person in the entire world that actually wants to play as Toad." Matthew responded to the overly-excited dope to the side of him. Arthur rolled his eyes and pressed play on the controller, launching the two of them into an exciting race filled with smack talk and sassy insults. 

Matthew frowned in fake disappointment as his friend passed the finish line before him. Matthew was an absolute boss at Mario Kart, but letting Arthur win was part of his plan.

"HA. HA. HA. I WIN. YOU LOSE! THE QUEEN WOULD BE PROUD." Arthur triumphantly yelled, pounding the air with his fist in victory.

"Wow. You and Toad are a master duo. Maybe you need more of a challenge." Matthew suggested, smiling at his proud friend. 

"A challenge? Bring it on!" Arthur shot back, his eyes burning with intensity. 

"Alrighty." Matthew muttered, getting up from the couch and making his way over to the slider door.

"Wait- where are you going?- Matthew! MATTHEW NO!" Arthur screamed as he saw Matthew peek his head out the window and call to Alfred. Alfred was the best at Mario Kart, hands down. He could also never refuse a little competition. Matthew knew this was the perfect way to get them in a room together. 

"Hey Alfred! Wanna play some Mario Kart? Arthur just crushed me. I think he needs a bit more of a challenge." Matthew yelled to his brother. 

"Arthur is over!? HELL YEAH IM BEATING HIM AT MARIO KART!" Alfred shot back, dropping the basketball to jog into the house. "Gilbert come on! We're playing Mario Kart. Watch me kick some British ass." 

As the two walked into the house, Matthew shot Gilbert an "I told you so" sort of look, and Gilbert chuckled, realizing that their plan might actually work.